ETF Versus

DGRO vs EEM

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF vs iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-02

DGRO iShares

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.10%. Launched in 2014, the fund has a 12-year track record.

AUM: $36.8B ER: 0.08% Yield: 2.10% Since: Jun 10, 2014
EEM iShares

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to stocks in emerging market economies with higher growth potential. It charges a high expense ratio of 0.72%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.12%. Launched in 2003, the fund has a 23-year track record.

AUM: $24.5B ER: 0.72% Yield: 2.12% Since: Apr 7, 2003

Quick Verdict

DGRO is significantly cheaper at 0.08% vs 0.72% expense ratio, saving you approximately $1.237 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, EEM has significantly outperformed with a 30.5% return vs 13.9%.

Key Metrics

Metric DGRO EEM
Expense Ratio 0.08% 0.72%
Dividend Yield 2.1% 2.1%
Fund Family iShares iShares
Category US Dividend Emerging Markets

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

60 79 98 117 136 155 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
DGRO +42.9%
EEM +5.8%

Performance Comparison

Period DGRO EEM Difference
1 Month -4.90% -6.94% +2.04%
3 Months +0.57% +1.76% -1.19%
6 Months +2.36% +5.53% -3.17%
YTD +0.57% +1.76% -1.19%
1 Year +13.94% +30.54% -16.60%
3 Years +39.53% +44.74% -5.21%
5 Years +42.86% +5.84% +37.02%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period DGRO Fees EEM Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $159 $1.397 $1.237
$10.000 20 years $686 $5.836 $5.151
$10.000 30 years $2.212 $18.296 $16.083
$50.000 10 years $797 $6.984 $6.187
$50.000 30 years $11.061 $91.478 $80.417
$100.000 30 years $22.123 $182.957 $160.834

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric DGRO EEM
Annualized Volatility 13.9% 18.6%
Max Drawdown -20.7% -39.5%
Sharpe Ratio 0.26 -0.09

Dividend Comparison

Metric DGRO EEM
Annual Dividend (per share) $1.47 $1.22
Dividend Yield 2.10% 2.12%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Semi-Annual or Annual

Top Holdings

0 of top 10 holdings overlap (0% overlap in top holdings)

DGRO Top Holdings

NameWeight
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM3.43%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ2.94%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM2.93%
Apple Inc.AAPL2.87%
Microsoft CorporationMSFT2.71%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV2.67%
Broadcom Inc.AVGO2.49%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG2.14%
Philip Morris International Inc.PM2.05%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK2.05%

EEM Top Holdings

NameWeight
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited!tpe/233013.38%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.!krx/0059305.37%
Tencent Holdings Limited!hkg/07003.82%
SK hynix Inc.!krx/0006603.17%
Alibaba Group Holding Limited!hkg/99882.55%
China Construction Bank Corporation!hkg/09390.95%
Delta Electronics, Inc.!tpe/23080.88%
HDFC Bank Limited!nse/HDFCBANK0.87%
Reliance Industries Limited!nse/RELIANCE0.82%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.!tpe/23170.75%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose DGRO if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose EEM if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

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